In a significant political shift, no fewer than 2,500 members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State. Governor Umar Namadi made this revelation during the Jigawa Citizens’ Engagement Program held in Babura Local Government Area on Sunday.
Governor Namadi attributed the mass defections to the growing recognition of the APC’s commitment to the state’s development. He highlighted that over the course of just three days, 2,503 individuals had joined the party, a clear indication of the increasing popularity of the APC among the state’s citizens.
“Within just three days, we have received 2,503 new members into our party. This includes 553 defectors in Auyo, 750 in Kazaure, and today, we are welcoming 1,200 in Babura,” the governor shared with the audience.
Namadi emphasized that the increasing number of defectors reflected the satisfaction of Jigawa residents with the progress made under his leadership. He reiterated his commitment to fostering unity within the party and ensuring continued development for the people of Jigawa.
“The growing support for APC in Jigawa State is proof that our people are pleased with the work we have done. Our government remains dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens,” Namadi assured.
Speaking at the event, Isa Gerawa, the APC leader in Jigawa, noted that the party had worked hard to address internal challenges and was now focused on strengthening its structure. He welcomed the defectors with open arms, promising that they would be treated equally and that joining the APC would not be a decision they would regret.
“We have opened our doors to receive defectors from other parties. We assure them that they will be treated equally and will not regret joining the APC,” Gerawa stated.
The event also marked the official launch of the Jigawa State Government Citizen Engagement Program, known as “Gwamnati da Jama’a.” This initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and dialogue between the government and the people, further solidifying the APC’s position as a party focused on the welfare of its citizens.